Rebels, Gomora & One Lion progress to Philly's semifinals

Mambas FC were the first casualty in this year's quarterfinals, as they suffered the heaviest defeat in the 32nd edition of the Philly's Games at the Esqwongeni Sports Ground in Tembisa on Saturday

Rebels FC, the 2014 champions, scored five goals and Mambas could only respond with two in 90 minutes, for the Riverlea team to move on to the last four of the tournament.

Rebels and Mambas played to a goalless draw in the first leg on Friday, so it ended 5-2 on aggregate and is the end of the road for the poisonous snakes until 2024.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Wayne Matli bossed the middle of the park and earned the man of the match award.

The midday clash between last year's runners-up Isithembiso and Alexandra side Gomora United produced a goalless stalemate in 90 minutes. After the first leg ended as a 1-1 draw, it was left to the lottery of penalties for a winner to be decided.

It was 3-3 after five penalties each, and it went to sudden death to determine a winner, with the Alexandra-based side winning 5-4 and progressing to Sunday's semifinal.

Defending champions One Lion won 3-2 as they continued where they left off from Friday's 2-1 victory. One Lion faced the Hot B Team for a spot in the last four, and the team from Ivory Park won 5-3 on aggregate to continue their defensive of the title.

Abarondoli beat Skepe Nketole by the same scoreline they lost by in the first leg of Friday's quarterfinal. All goals were scored in the second half as the helicopter boys went down 2-1 in 90 minutes.

It was 3-3 on aggregate after 180 minutes of football, so it was left to the penalty shootout to decide who progressed to Sunday's semis.

Abarondoli went on to win the penalty shootout 3-1 and progress to the semifinals.

Looking at Sunday's semifinal fixtures, the 2pm fixture features One Lion against Abarondoli, while the second semifinal at 4pm will see Rebels take on Gomora United.